Chamomile

Chamomile has consistently topped the American and European herbal list. As it is sweet smelling like an apple, this is prominently planted in pathways. In fact, the pathway for the royalty in the Buckingham Palace sports the short Chamomile plants.

The different varieties of chamomile

Chamomile grows well in Europe, Western Asia and the U.S.

United States and the United Kingdom have the Roman Chamomile while the Europeans prefer the German variety. Laymen are often confused and fail to differentiate between the two. The German chamomile grows to a height of two and a half feet while the Roman Chamomile is creepy. Their oils are also widely different.

Chamomiles growth

This short greenish gray plant is easy to cultivate in herbal gardens. Good quality nursery seeds should be planted about, four inches apart. The plant should be trimmed at the height of fifteen cms. This promotes profuse flowering of either single or double petaled flowers.

Single petaled chamomile adapts to sandy soils and blooms in the sunny climate. While the double petaled flowers need rich loamy soil.

Medicinal uses of Chamomile

Chamomile tea

I ounce of the flowers boiled to a pint of water gives a tea that is highly beneficial. The tea should always be brewed in a closed vessel and later allowed to stand in the closed container for about ten minutes. This is chamomile tea, relished by many all over the European and American continent. The sleep inducing properties of chamomile tea makes it a mild relaxant.

External application of chamomile lotion

• Chamomile works wonders for inflammations and skin diseases. Its application as lotions is in use since the ancient times.
• Chamomile lotion is applied for toothache and earache too.

Chamomile consumption as medicine

• Chamomile is very good for stomach disorders and for gastrointestinal inflammations.
• It's good for food poisoning, and is a cure for nausea and indigestion.
• Chamomile in combination with ginger curbs cold.
• It is a mild but efficient laxative and is used for relieving gas associated pain and menstruation cramps.

Other uses of chamomile

• The tasty flowers are chiefly used for making herbal beers. But, when used in salads and beverages they add to their taste too.
• A hair wash with boiled chamomile flower relieves headache.
• Chamomile is also used in a variety of shampoos and cosmetics.
• The dried flower is made into herbal pillow and burnt for aromatherapy.
• Though the whole plant is valuable, the flower head is the most sought after part. Single petaled flowers are alkali so the double petaled flower heads are sun dried and used.

Egyptians felt the chamomile to be better than any other herb for it is absolutely safe. They felt that even pregnant women could consume it. There is no danger of an overdose or side effects.

But this belief is not entirely true. A study was conducted on a large group of people. Some, (say a microscopic few) exhibited symptoms of allergy. Chamomile consumption should be immediately given up if allergic reaction is noticed.